Aitken senses appetite for battle

Scotland will face one of their toughest ever challenges at Hampden Park next Saturday - but assistant coach Roy Aitken is confident there will be no shortage of volunteers for the 'Italian job'.

PUBLISHED: PUBLISHED: 08:46, Sat, Nov 10, 2007

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Roy Aitken

Aitken made his name as the Celtic captain who famously inspired the team of 1988 to a domestic double in the club's centenary year - and he sees the same fighting spirit in Alex McLeish's side.

"What I loved about that Celtic team is that everyone in the dressing room loved coming to training; there was a great atmosphere on the training ground, and that took itself on to the pitch. This Scotland set-up is very, very similar," he said.

"Alex has picked 25 players for Tuesday, and I bet you a pound to a penny every one of those players will be there on Tuesday - barring any serious injuries. They all want to be involved.

"It's very close to a club spirit that Alex has. Walter Smith did a great job to start it off, but Alex has stamped his own personality on it and has taken it forward and tried to keep that Scottish tradition of the passion and the desire of the players.

"It's there every day in training and it's great to be involved in a group like that who want to be involved; it's nice for the manager to have selection problems."